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In a surprising turn of events, Dauda Lawal of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged victorious in the Zamfara governorship election held on March 18, unseating the then-incumbent Bello Mattawalle of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Lawal secured 377,726 votes, while Mattawalle trailed with 311,976 votes. However, six months later, the fate of Zamfara's leadership has been thrown into uncertainty.

The Appeal Court delivered a significant blow to Lawal's victory by nullifying the election results. The ruling came after Mattawalle, who now serves as the Minister of State for Defence, contested the outcome, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of omitting certain ward areas' results. Despite Mattawalle's claims, the Zamfara Election Petitions Tribunal dismissed the petition on September 18, deeming it without merit and imposing a fine of N500,000 on the petitioners.

Undeterred, Mattawalle escalated the matter to the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking to challenge the tribunal's decision. Finally, on Thursday, a three-member panel led by Justice Oyebisi Folayemi granted respite to Mattawalle by nullifying Lawal's victory in the governorship poll. This latest development adds a layer of complexity to the political landscape in Zamfara, leaving the leadership of the North-Western state hanging in the balance.

In Osun State, the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised allegations against Governor Ademola Adeleke's administration, accusing it of attempting to deceive the state and push it into a financial crisis with its recently unveiled multibillion naira development projects. Adeleke had announced an ambitious development agenda that would require over N100 billion in funding within a one-year period.

This development plan includes the construction of flyovers at five different locations in the state, with two in the state capital, Osogbo, and one each in Ede, Ikirun, and Ile-Ife. Additionally, the governor outlined plans for the rehabilitation of 345 health centers in the state's 332 wards, a second phase of potable water provision, rehabilitation of 31 schools in 30 councils, recruitment of new teachers, and the reconstruction or rehabilitation of 45 roads, each at least one kilometer long in every council, totaling 45 kilometers of roadwork.

Governor Adeleke emphasized that his administration would not seek loans from financial institutions to finance these projects. Instead, he mentioned that they had been diligently saving and addressing financial leakages within the state, resulting in an increase in the internally generated revenue base of Osun.

In response, the Osun APC chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, labeled Adeleke's plan as a crafty scheme designed to benefit certain individuals with close ties to the government, describing it as a scam.

Conversely, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state criticized the APC's criticism, deeming it unpatriotic and anti-development. PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi defended the development agenda, asserting that it was commendable, long overdue, sustainable, and crucial for the economic revitalization of the state. He highlighted the infrastructural challenges inherited by the PDP government and the significant progress made in addressing them over the past 11 months. Bisi urged the APC to shed its poverty-focused mindset and support the state's progress.

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) expressed its deep disappointment with the Supreme Court's verdict regarding the appeals filed by Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. The Supreme Court dismissed these appeals, stating that they lacked merit.

In a statement signed by the PDP's spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, the party conveyed its concerns about the Supreme Court's reasoning. The PDP believed that the judgment contradicted the express provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, 2022, and the guidelines and regulations set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2023 presidential election.

The party criticized the Supreme Court for what it perceived as a failure to uphold the law. The PDP emphasized that many Nigerians had expected the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional requirements for a presidential election in Nigeria, including the need to secure at least 25% of votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They also raised concerns about violations of electoral rules, manipulations of election results by the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the condoning of issues related to forgery, falsehood, and perjury based on technicalities.

The PDP expressed its deep concerns about the overall impact of the Supreme Court's judgment, as it seemed to have shaken Nigerians' confidence in the judiciary, especially in the Supreme Court's role as the last hope for the common people.

Despite this disappointment, the PDP urged Nigerians not to be discouraged and to remain committed to the pursuit of a credible electoral system that genuinely reflects the will of the people.

In summary, the PDP's statement highlighted its dismay at the Supreme Court's judgment and its concern for the implications it holds for Nigeria's democracy. It also emphasized the importance of continuing the pursuit of transparent and credible elections.